Ticket printer



Feb.2, 1943. 5 W.J.IZENN ER v 2,309,688

TICKET PRINTER FiledMarch 8, 1941 .3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WALTER J. 'ZENNER LL ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1943. v w. J. ENNER' 2,309,638

TICKET PRINTER Filed March 8, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 S WI 93 INVENTOR WALTER J. 'ZENNER ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1943.

w. J. ZENNER TICKET ERINTER Filed March 8, 1941 a Sheets-Sheet :s'

F l G 4 INVENT OR WALTER J. ZENNER ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 2, 1943 TICKET PRINTER Walter J. Zenner, Des Plaines, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application March a, 1941, Serial No. 382,367 17 Claims. (01'. 178-29) This invention relates to printing telegraph apparatus and more particularly to a telegraph apparatus for producing printed tickets or coupons adaptable to accounting systems.

An object of this invention is to provide a coupon or ticket printer which is mechanically simple, accurate in its operation, and inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

Another object of this invention is to provide a printing telegraph apparatus of the segmented distributor type in which a single magnet is employed to arrest a continuously rotating type wheel and control the printing operation.

The invention features a ticket printer in which the printing magnet, energized in response to received message signals, arrests a normally rotating type wheel in selected positions and effects printing.

The invention also features a ticket printer including a segmented distributor which is connected by a plurality of conductors to a source of signals, such as a device in which the message signals are stored, and a printing magnet, energized by a signal applied to the distributor, which controls the successive application of signals from the storing device to the distributor.

As a further feature of this invention, there is provided a ticket severing means operated to sever a ticket after the stored signals of a single message have been translated and printed on a ticket.

It has sometimes been the custom in the past when operating a printer having a segmented distributor to employ a plurality of magnets, one for each segment of the distributor, operable when energized by a signal applied to the distributor to arrest a rotating type wheel and initiate the printing cycle. When this plurality of magnets was replaced by a single magnet, it was frequently the custom to employ an escapement mechanism, governed bythe single magnet, to rotate the type wheel intermittently and to be held inoperative, arresting the type wheel, under the control of a signal applied to the distributor. The printer which is the subject of the present invention employs a single magnet controlling a constantly rotating type wheel and in this manner avoids the mechanical complexities introduced through the utilization of a plurality of magnets or an escapement device.

The objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a printer which comprises a segmented distributor, a type wheel constantly rotated through a friction clutch, a printing magnet energized to effect printing when the distributor brushes contact a conditioned segment of the distributor, and a ticket severing means. The armature of the printing magnet operates to arrest the type wheel and move a print hammer into printing relation with the arrested type wheel. Associated with the printer is a signal storing device and a progress switch connected by a plurality of conductors to the several segments of the distributor. The armature of the printing magnet also operates the progress switch to apply the signals of a complete message stored in the storing device, one by one, to the distributor segments to condition them and effect. the printing of a toll ticket selectively. The progress switch is provided with means to energize a-magnet in the printer which actuates the'severing device, cuts the printed ticket from its web and deposits the ticket in a ticket receptacle.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference may be had to the following detailed description to be interpreted with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a printing apparatus embodying the features of this in-- vention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the printing apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the printing magnet armature, index wheel, and spacing mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1 and is partially in section;

Fig. 5 is an elevational View taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a diagram of the electrical circuit for the printing and cutting magnet and the control circuit for the progress switch.

This invention finds utility in the field of telephone toll operation wherein for the purposes of determining toll charges it is necessary to have a record for each toll call, which record includes the calling subscribers number, the called subscribers number, a time and date indication, and similar information. It has been the practice in the past to employ a manual recordationof the toll information but with the printing telegraph apparatus which is the subject of this invention is possible to have a toll ticket, that is, a record of the toll information, printed automatically. One method of producing toll tickets automatically contemplates employing the printing apparatus herein disclosed with a storing mechanism in which signal impulses representing the toll information are stored, and utilizing the apparatus, to transfer the stored signals, one by structure I3 (Fig. 2) upon which any suitable number of ticket printer supporting frames may be assembled in superposed relation. A constantly operating motor I4 is supported on each member I I for driving the printing apparatus associated therewith. Secured to motor shaft I6 is a worm I'I engaging a fibre gear I8 which forms the driving portion of a friction clutch. Gear- I8 and the friction clutch, as well as the remaining parts of the printing apparatus which rotate, are carried-upona shaft I9'supported by an elongated-bearing 2| (Figs. 2and 5) provided with a fiang'ed portion 22 and secure'd'to member II by suitable binding screws 23. The friction clutch supported on rotatable shaft I9'comprises the driving gear member I8, a pair of friction discs 26, and a driven disc 21 which carries'a driving pin 28. One of the friction'discs 26 is interposed between a flanged collar 29 which is secured to shaft I9 by a set screw, and the other friction disc 26 is interposed between gear I8'and disc 21 disposed on the side of gear I8 opposite to that on which flanged collar 29 is located. A collar 3| is carried by shaft I9 and securedthereto by a set "screw. A p'in 32 is supported by collar 3| and disposed parallel to shaft I 9 and extends into the path of pin 28 secured to disc 21 to be driven thereby when shaft I9 is free to rotate. The coil spring 33 disposed about shaft I9 and located between 'collar' 3I and disc 2! exerts a compressive force against the elements of the friction clutch'tending to maintain power transmission from drive gear I8 through the clutch to shaft I9. Shaft I9'has secured thereto by a set screw a collar 36 of suitable insulating material, and collar 36 carries for rotation therewith an arm 31 of a distributor 38. A set of distributor brushes 39 is carried by arm 31 and one brush of the set contacts'a closed conducting ring M and the second brush of the set successively engages the segments 4201: the distributor. The conducting ring and segments of the distributor are mounted in an insulated disc 43' which has a central aperture in which collar 36 is free to rotate. A second insulating disc 44 is provided for the distributor and mountedintermediate the insulating disc 43 and the elements of the friction clutch for the purpose of protecting the electrical connections to the conductive elements mounted in disc 43 which connections (not shown) are disposed between the insulating discs 43 and 44. Disc 44 is also provided with a central aperture large enough 'to freely accommodate the coil spring 33 which surrounds shaft I9. A plurality of supporting rods 46 extend parallel to shaft I9, and each rod '46 is secured at one end to the supporting structure II and its opposite end carries the aforedescribed insulated discs.

v To the front portion of'shaft I9, as viewed in Fig. 2, are secured an'index wheel 41 and a type wheel 48. The index wheel 41 is provided with a'sinany depressions a'sthere are characters on the type'wheel so that by means of a stabber, which will be described hereinafter, which engages a depression of the index wheel 41, the type wheel may be arrested with any of its characters located in the printing position. The type wheel 48 may be provided with as many characters as desired. In the particular embodiment of the invention under discussion there are 12 characters on the type wheel; namely, the ten numerics, a dash, and an asterisk. With this particular type wheel the printed ticket will comprise groups of numerics indicating the called and calling number, the time, etc., but it is to be understood that a type wheel containing additional characters and "including letters may be employed if desired.

.. The printing magnet 5| is secured to member II, by a Z-shaped strap 52, and its armature 53 which is of yoke form, is pivotally supported upon a stud 54 (Fig. 1) extending between frame member II and the depending portion of strap 52. Extending from that portion of the yoke shaped armature 53 nearest to the structural member II is an armature extension 55 which is provided with the following projections: a projection 56 (Figs. 2 and 3) extending through an aperture 51 in frame member H which operates a pair of contacts I66 supported on the reverse side of supporting member II; a projection 58 extending perpendicularly of the armature extension 55 and serving as the print hammer; and a tooth-shaped projection 59 (Fig. 3) extending forwardly of the armature extension which serves as a stabber and is introduced into a depression of the index wheel 41 when magnet 5| is energized to arrest the type wheel in a given position. An adjustable stop abutment BI is secured to member, II by shoulder screws 62 which project through slotted apertures in the abutment GI and serves to limit the counterclockwise rotation of armature 53 when the armature is returned to its normal position upon the de-energization of magnet ,5I. 'A similar abutment 63 adjustably secured to member II serves to limit the clockwise rotation of armature 53 upon the energization of magnet 5I. A restoring spring 84 extending between the armature and a spring anchor pin 65 returns the armature to normal position upon the de-energization of magnet H.

A roll support 61 rotatably mounted on member II carries the supply of web 68 from which printed tickets are to be produced. The web passes from the supply over a guide roll 69 rotatably carried by a pin II secured to member I I, thence over a rotatably supported roll I2 to cooperating feed rolls I0, I3 and 14 which cause an intermittent feed of the web along a web guide I5 to the printing point. Guide roll 12 is rotatably supported upon a shaft I6 which is carried in a pivoted frame comprising frame members 11 and 18 (Fig. 2) pivotally supported on pin II. With the web threaded through the apparatus in the above, described path the feed rolls I0, 13, and 14, when arrested, serve to hold the web from movement, and the pivoted frame carrying guide roll 12 tends under its own weight to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and thus tends to exert an unreeling torque upon the supply of the web to form a tape loop between the supply reel 61 and the feed rolls. This tape loop affords a smoother web feed by removing the inertia of the supply as a load from the feeding rolls. The web guide plate I5 is provided with an aperture I9 (Fig. 1) at the printing point through which the print hammer 58 is projected upon the energizetion of magnet 5| to present the web to the type wheel. a

Feed roll I3 is mounted to rotate upon a shaft 8! when that'shaft is rotated by a driving ratchet which, in turn, is pi-votedaonistud 5'4. Eleven-80 .isgprovi'ded with a"slt-85 through whicheimeccentric -8'4'carried:by iarmature-=-extension- 55mm- .j'ects. The -reccentric enables "an-adjustment of wlever-I30 with respect-to the rarmature. Arcomb 90,--extendin"g from theist'op "element- BI eserves-to space the armature and feedipawl and to :guide *their' -rotative movements.

'-Il2herslot-.85.-permits relative-:-movement between the fe'ed pawl 83 and the rarmature :53 fSOftihat whenithexmagnet ieenergizedthe mnlyfiloadeit -must overcome initially :is that of ithe i-armature -53. This :relative -movement :of :the armature --with" zrespectato-; the feed pawl (enables: the stabber "58 to :fengage ':the -.index" wheel 141 and arrest the type wheel 48 ibef'or ithef'feedzpawl is elevated.

The armature raises .theifeedpawl"83"safter:itlhas moved toward the :magnet and some within a i-stronger rmagnetic field. ns-spring r 86 iangularly :disposed "with respect to feed :pawl #83 serves to rotate "the ::pawl towardrthe Efeed t'rat'cht "82 when magnet armature .53 :ha's elevated the -feed ifpawl :above the ratchet, and :spring 586 also sup- --plies'a feeding :force to the pawl "when magn'etfi'l is "dc-energized and spring 86 is :free to moveipawl .83 downwardly *on. its feeding'rstrolre. s-A'sstdp 81 "secured :to member I1 serves to :Iimitthe flownward movement of :feed cpawl 8'3 and the :length -".ofdts"feedingstroke andzthereby prevent -anzover- :feed. .Aispringpressed detent 88:. pivotally*sup sported onzstud =89 holds the 'Tfeed *ratchet when :ipawl .133 elevated preparatory "to the ife'edin'g stroke. Feed ."roll "13 is providedwith amovering :of :rubber .or any other suitable imaterial fhaiZ-i'rig :a :highco-eficient of friction'ftoaffordagood-rfed- :ingicontact between "the feedroll and' the' web. Rolls '10 and I4'arerotatablysupported'oniiridi- --vi'dual shafts which are in substantial iaxial alignment. Each shaft securedito tansarm 9I (only one of whichis shown) *Whichvis .pivotal'ly "mountedton a pin 22. Pressure -rioll This normall-y held in cooperation with t feed roll :13 1:8, .spring 93 :disten'ded between :anchor spin Wise- "curedto frame member I I rand a cross pin BG 'carried-bypivotedcarms 9 I. sA "tape-out indicator is provided :to 'cau'seia indication when the supply :of tape is "exhausted "or reduced "to a predetermined amount. The tape-out indicator'-comprises-essentially a-follow --er arm 91 (Fig '1) adapted tomide ltpon th'ezperipheryof the web supply, -:and -:this -follower E' is secured to=a rockshaft' 98 rotatably suppontedin :rnembenI I and carrying a-levera99 onwthe rreverse side -'of member IrI. :A'contactipair wHJI -s'hass'an insulated projection til-2extendingwithinathe flarcuate path of lever 99.described as rook shaft 98 is rotated. Contact pair IIII is adapted to close any suitable circuit (not shown) to operate a vis- --ual or audible :signal indicatin 'lthatithetape has "heenrspent to 'a :predeterminedranrount. rhi operation, the follower "-91 rides upon'cthe peripheryfof the "web supply and the web is paid :out, diminishing the diameter *of theisupplypgraduab ly, the follower 9! rocks rockshaftfl'fl invaeclockwise direction until lever '99 "engaging projection I82 causes the :contact pair .IflI :to be operated and-complete the indicating circuit.

ticket receptacle :1 83 .ris carried upon a base :plate I04 adapted-"tome mli'dabl'y byifra'zne member I I through the tagency or supporting studs 2M5 extending from member PEI through slotted: apertures ZIIII'B or .base. pla'teil flli. The; refceptacle comprises :fram'e relements .1111, and 1 [I I and '=U -sh'aped :fram'eE'eIementsY ItII8 a'nd I 09 .(Figs. l and l). Elements 1118 and .IOSvaresecured at theirweb portions '-to element I01 *andrattheir :extremities by "strips H4 and H6, defining, throughthis*ass'emblage, a'container. That end "of each stri'p'disposed nearest'to thepiinter is deflected outwardly to define :a converging .entrance to the re'ceptacle, and each *strip is :proadded with "a flanged :portion I'I5 extending throughout the length thereof and theseiflanged portions serve as "a .gui'deway to support a web 'as it is introduced into the receptacle from the printer. Each flange is deflecteddownwardlyat the'ent'ra'nceof thereceptacle'to assurethat a stripbeing bfed intothe receptacle "will :rest 'upon the gui'deway. The "receptacle .iszprovided with a ticket receiving-platform II 72v normally retained by "aicompr'ession spring :I I3 near-the top .of the receptacle just beneath-the ticket guideway to retain the severed tickets deposited thereon, in a 'manner to'be hereinafter described, inistacked relation 'by urging them against the under "side of 'the strip guideway. After a sufficientnumber of "tickets has been'accumulated inthesr'e- .cepta'cle I 83, 'frame member-I I I which is secured by meansof a hinge "H1 to the web portion of element IP99 may be 'rotatedto'provide'a suitable opening "through which the tickets may be .removed. Thisframe member I II isnormally'retained in its vertical position by an 'L-shaped latch l'lill pivoted at I2I to'the "baseiof the receptacle 1-03 and urged into latchingposition by spring H8 *exten-dingfrom the latch andfsecured to .a spring post carried by'the base of thereceptacl'e. Whenlmember "III "is rotated out of thejpathof latch I I9'Tthe counterclockwiserotasti'on imparted tothe latch by spring 'I-I8 'isllimsited by theengagemen't of the latch-arm with trameelement'IflB (see Fig. 2).. se'curetoframe member lllI'ofthereceptacle I03 is a knife edge I922 which inroo'p'eration with a pivoted blade 123 'comprises the ticket -severing means.

The-ticketreceptacle and severing means are im'ounted on member II and maybe adjusted with respect to the iprinting point to vary the length of the "ticket. Member II is cut away as indicated at I24 to afiord a"recess"within'which -a mounting block carrying the receptacle and ticket severing means is ad'justably located. The --mounting'blok located within the recess pro- 'vided in ime'mber II 'is indicated by numeral I26 "(Fig.'4) and the mountingtp'la't'e I04 of there- -ceptac1eis secured thereto. -Mountin'g block l'zfi also carries' a supporting bra'ck'et I2 'Ifiup'o'n which "the fs'evering mechanism is located. The sever- Iing mechanism is opera'ted'by a cutting magnet I28 carried in bracket I21 and provided with an za'rmatu're I29 c'arried by 'a 'pivoted fram'e struc- "ture :compri'sirrg ra 'U es'hap'e'd I frame member I3 I ZFr-am'e member 131 is -p'ivotally supported upona .shaft I32 mouritediin bracket I'ZL a'nd a sp'r'ing I surrounding shaft 132 urges frame 1'3 I rightwa'rdlywithin the bracket I21 and on shaft I32, e as-viewed in Fig.'-2,so that the knife edg'eso'f the severing device are maintained "in a severing -'relaltionship with one another. The blade element I23 is .providedwi'th a dependingprojection .1134 extending 'belowthe upper surface of the knife :edge 132 :to prevent the blade 423 from "overlapping the-knife edge. The knifeblade "I23 :is radjustably secured Ito th e U-shaped Iram'e :memberfliitl 'asdndicated in F i'g. 33. Onearm of the 'ueshazped frame member II'8I carries -a pair of pressure blades I 36 and I31 disposed parallel with and intermediate the guide strips H4 and I I 6,.and a limiting blade I38 integralwith bracket I21 overlaps at its extremities the armsof U-shaped frame member I3I tolimit theclockwise rotation of the frame member about shaft I32 when magnet I28 is de-energized. Abell crank I39 secured to frame member I3I' and pivoted about shaft I32 is rotated in a clockwise direction by a spring I4I extending between bracket I21 and the depending arm of the bell crank when the cutting magnet I28 is 'de-'ener'- gized to restore the knife blade I23 to its elevated position. The depending arm of'the bell crank I39 operates a set of contacts I42 as it rotates about shaft I32. I The web after it passes the printing point is guided by web guide '15 into the ticket receptacle upon the guideway II formed by the flanges of strips- '4 "and H6. When the ticket is to be severed'and the "cutting magnet becomes energized, the frame member I3I is rocked in a counterclockwise direction under the action of the magnet in attracting its armature whereby the blade I23 in cooperation with knife edge I22 severs the printed ticket, and the pressure blades I36 and I31 deprees the severed ticket beneath the guideway I I 5 and onto platform I I2 which serves tohold the accumulated tickets when the blade I23 is elevated. In this way the guide H5 is cleared of the severed ticket and there is no obstruction in the path of the web as it is subsequently fed from guide 15 in the preparation of another ticket and, therefore, the web may be fully received on the guideway as the printing cycle proceeds.

Roll 13 of the web feeding device has at one extremity the type band I46 (see Fig. 2) upon which are carried identifying indicia for the particular printer. As the pressure rolls feed the web to the type wheel the type band I46 prints a character on the underside of the web to identify the printer on which any given ticket has been prepared. By mounting pressure rolls 14 and on individual shafts, they may cooperate with feed roll 13 and print band I46, respectively, even though the diameters of the feed roll and the print band are not exactly the same.

There is provided on stud shaft I41 (Fig. 1) carried by member II a U-shaped member I48 which carries an inking roller I49 and an applicating roll I50 which applies the ink to the type wheel 48. Frame member I48 has an extension I 5I projecting above the periphery of the ink wheel I49 which servesas a guide to prevent the web loop of the printer which may be disposed above the particular printer. from coming into contact with the inking roll I49. A similar inking system for type band I46 is indicated at I52.

The control circuit for the printer is shown in Fig. 6 wherein there is indicated at I56 a storin device in which the signals comprising the toll messages to be printed on a toll ticket are stored. Associated with the storing device I56 is a progress or sequence switch I51 which operates to transfer the signals stored within the storin device, one by one, to the printing apparatus. The progress switch I51 comprises a plurality of contact banks and each one of such banks is connected over an individual conductor I58 to each individual segment 42 of the distributor. One bank of contacts is connected by a conductor I59 to the cutting magnet I28 to battery I6l and ground. A ratchet I13 is included in th progress switch which may be advanced by a pawl I1I to step the switch through its successive contact engaging positions. The printing magnet 5I is connected from grounded battery over a conductor I62 to the solid conducting ring 4| of the distributor. The progress switch is advanced by means of a stepping magnet I63 which is included ina control circuit including ground, contact pair I42 controlled by bell crank lever I39. conductor I64, contact pair I66 controlled by projection 56 on the armature extension 55, conductor 56a, steppingmagnet I63, and battery. A second control circuit delays the application of a message signal from the progress switch to the segments of the distributor following an advance ment of the progress switch by the stepping magnet and that control circuit includes ground, contact I 42; conductor I64, contact pair I66, conductor I'66a, conductor I61, slow-to-operate relay I68, and battery. Slow-to-operate relay I68 when it operates applies ground traced to relay I 68 to the storing mechanism. I

The progress switch and storing device represented schematically in Fig. 6 comprise no part of the present invention and accordingly the details of those elements have not been disclosed. Any suitable storing device and sequence switch may be employed for those elements but it is preferred that the storingdevice comprise a group of register relays such as those disclosed in copending application filed by J. W. Gooderham, Serial No. 448,782, filed June 27, 1942. The application to Gooderham also discloses a suitable sequence switch which is to be employed with the register relay. A similar group of register relays, usable in combination with a progress switch, is to be found in Patent No. 1,916,761 to Henry et al. and illustrated in Fig. 8 of that patent at 895-808; 8I5-8I8, and 825 and 828. Each contact bank of the progress switch contains as many contact positions as characters in the message to be printed upon a ticket and one additional contact employed when the progress switch is to supply an energizing impulse to the cutting magnet. The storage device in its preferred form places battery from the circuit extended through the armature and contact of slow-to-operate relay I68 to one contact in one of the contact banks of the progress switch I51 at a time and the conductor associated with the particular bank in which the conditioned contact is located extends the ground to its associated segment in the distributor to render that segment conditioned so that when the distributor arm 31 in its rotation carries the brush set 39 into contact with the conditioned segment, the circuit to the printing magnet will be completed through the ground'extended from the progressswitch through the selected segment of the distributor through brush set 39 to the conducting ring 4I andthe remainder of the printing magnet circuit.

Operation In operation, the signals comprising the messages to be printedon toll tickets are stored in the storing device I56 and atthe start of the printing of a given ticket the progress switch is in its initial position which places a ground over the above defined circuit to a selected one of the segments of the distributor, and the shaft I9, which is rotating at this time, brings the set of brushes 39 into engagement with the particular conditioned segment completing a circuit to the printing'magnet 5I which attracts its armature, inserting stabber 59 into the depression of the index wheel adjacent thereto at the instant the .printingmagnetis-energized; There are the same number of depressions in the index wheel as segments on the distributor so that by conditioning any-given segment anyparticular character on thetype w-heel may be brought into the printing 5,

position at the time the stabber arrests the rotationof the-type wheel. Armature'53 of magnet in addition to arresting the type wheel elevatesfeel pawl '83 preparatory to its feeding stroke and projects the print hammer 58 through m the aperture-19 inguide-plate presenting-the web -tothe-type wheel for the reception of an impression of "the character in the printing position atthat particular moment; This movement Qt-armature- 53 opens at contact I66 through the 15 projection 56 of the armature'the circuitwhich has extended the ground from the. progress switclt' tothe selected distributor segment and thereby de-energizes the printing magnet 5|. In

additiomtointerrupting the'circuit to printing magnet'il, projection 560i armature53 inoperatingcontact I66 also interrupts the circuitntov stepping magnet I63 andslow-to-operate magnet. [68;

With. magnet .5 l. tie-energized, spring 64iis. effectivetoreturn armature 53 to its normal positionmetractingstabber 59 fromengagement with theindexwheeland permitting the type wheel to. continue itsrotation, and spring 86,.in conjunce tion-Lwith spring :64;v is effective. to .move;.pawl..8.3.

Qnitsieeding. stroke .to. advance the. Web. With magnet I63 de-energized, its armature.l12.-is.ro:- tated; incaclockwise direction by. its restoring spring-randccausespawliI] I. carried .on the .armae tnr;e;to:engage ratchet; l l3..=and.-advance :it,; step:

pjnggthe: progressiswitch. I 5.6, .one step. The.;r.e.e

tuzznzof armature; 53 closesthe contact .pair I 66" aindicompletes the. circuit. to... steppingmagnet... I5 3;. which attracts ..its armature. Althoughthe progresstswitchlfil hasbeen.advancedtoitsnext.

positionzahthisl time, the, .nextv signal. of theotoll-l mesagerliasl not..been.app]ied to the, segments ;of.- theidistributor becausethe. slow-etoroperate relay; 168.. insertsa delay. for. the purpose..-of insuring; thatztheiarmature. ofnprintingmagnet 5| willhe;

retranted.;to:efiect the-release .ottheitype wheels andsthe feedingof the. web.. Finally, .slowi-tpe-ioperatewelayyl 68 attracts. its: armature supplyingground therethrougnto; the. progress: switchxl 5?! andianother.tselectedpsegmentgof .theldistributor:

position. by. which the entire tollmessageis print,

ed llpon the tollticket,

Afterthe vprogressswitch hasadvanced through a-.complete cycle and caused the printingof a toll. ticket, theiticket; must be severed. from its. web.

'I'hdseveringmperation may be effected immediatelyyafter the last character'of the tickethas been printed.:.or' at .any convenient time, subsee quentitheretor In the illustrated .embodimentgo-f this invention, the ticket receptacle I03 isspaced. a; i distance: corresponding: to. approximately. 2.4 spacing steps fromthe printing point and accord.- ingly, the twenty-fourth position of the sequence; switch is;uti'1ized:to;energizethe above-described hasbeen printed and the apparatus is producingalanother ticket," th'etwenty-fourth operation of the apparatus-Will sever the completed ticket and deposit. it'- in the receptacle; Upon the op-' erationof the cutting magnet I28, bell :crank I 39'- operatiasfithe contact pair. M2 to disable the -circuit to the stepping magnet l 63; and advancethe progress switch: to: continue theticketprinting is. to be understood-that the: invention is: capable of many m'odifi'cations and: rearrangements and,

accordingly; the: inventionlis. n'otvto belimited to theLparticuIar: disclosure; butonly byth'e-scopeof the appended claimsa Whati claimed is:-

printingfrom said ztype wheel -.upon the energiza tion; of said; printingmagnet, .a circuit for saidprinting-magnet includingisaid set of: brushes andza segment ofsaiddistributor; asignalstorring; mean'sg; means: to; connect. the. segments. of said; distributor individually to said: storing. means, and :means "for.'; successively; transferring; stored: signalseoyer'said connecting means to saiddistributor to tcausei-the; printing; of; intelligence.

- 2'." Inlaaprintingtelegraph system, av distributor having; amplhralityxof; segments; ..a set of brushes f orrcooperatiort with'said segments, .a. type wheel a shaft for carryingisaid ssetzofr brushes and; said ype..whee1-; means for.rrotatingsaidshait, a printinggmagnehlmeans controlled by.'said magnet to efifeot printingzarcircuitzfor: said, magnet includingxsaidtset; of: brushes5andr a. conditioned on'efof saidId-istributor segments, a signal storingmeans, iind-ividual; connection for. each segment:

to;saidystoringmeansfito selectively..- condition the segment; of rsaid zdistributon in. accordance with stored r-sig'na sa'.

distributomgasse set. ofi="br:ushes;-;.=a3; printing; magnet 1 effective to causeeprintinggfromsaid typewheel, .a circuit for:

saidv printing.- magnet including; saidset. of-

brushes tand; a ;conditioned: one of said: segments, means connecting." said storing; device to; said" distributor, and means controlled: byjsaidprinting, r magnet, to I transfer; stored: signals; to said" distributor tot efiectiprintingein accordance with a stored.message:t 1

. 4: Inaxa printing-telegraph apparatus, .asignal storing;:devices-a1;printingaapparatusz including, a segmenteddistributor; aFselzof distributor. brushes; a type 'wheeht-la -:shaft carrying; said. type wheelt andi saids brushes-, .a; printingamagnet, a circuit for; said printingcmagnet includings sa'id viset" of brushesaandl aisconditionedzJoneiof said segments, 1 a=pluralityyofzconductorsaconnecting the-several se mentsaofosaid distributon ind ividually 'to' saidstorage device, :.;and; means:- controlled by. said. printingimagnet toltransfer storedsignals .to:' said I'mcombinatioiiizacsignai.rstoring :fdevice a printinga; apparatus? includingi zsegmentedl distribntoir; asset of rotating ibru'shes icoop'erating therewitlntaetypezwheeltia rotating shaft;carrying; cuttingnriagnetcircuit; 'Iherefore;.aiterzazticket: said'rsetyof:brushesiandzsaid'typeiwheeh a print ing magnet, means operated upon the energization of said printing magnet to arrest said type wheel and eifect printing, a plurality of conductors, a progress switch connecting each segment of said distributor over one of said conductors to said storing device for applying a stored signal to said distributor segments to selectively condition said segments, a circuit for said printing magnet completed upon the engagement of said set of brushes with the distributor segment conditioned by the applied signal, and means controlled by said printing magnet to step the progress switch and apply another stored signal to said distributor after the printing operation initiated by the energization of said printing magnet has been completed.

6. In a printing telegraph system, means to store message signals, a printing apparatus including a type wheel carrying type characters, a distributor having as many segments as type characters on said type wheel, a distributor arm, a set of brushes carried by said arm to engage said segment, a rotating shaft. on which said type wheel and distributor arm are fixed, a printing magnet, means operated by the energization of said printing magnet to effect printing from said type wheel, a plurality of conductors connecting the several segments of said distributor to said storing means, means under the control of said printing apparatus to successively apply stored signals over said conductors to said distributor to selectively condition one of said se ments, and a circuit to said printing magnet completed upon the engagement of said set of brushes with said conditioned segment.

'7. In combination, a signal storing mechanism, a printing apparatus including a distributor, a set of brushes cooperating with said distributor, a type wheel, a rotating shaft carrying said set of brushes and said type wheel, a printing magnet, means operated by said printing magnet to efiect printing from said type wheel, a progress switch connected to said storing mechanism, a plurality of conductors connecting said distributor to said progress switch over which a stored signal is' applied to said distributor, a circuit for said printing magnet completed upon the engagement of said set of brushes with a conditioned segment of said distributor, a stepping magnet to advance said progress switch to apply the stored signals successively .to said printing apparatus, and a circuit for said stepping magnet completed upon the operation of said printing magnet.

8. In a ticket printer, a segmented distributor, a set of brushes cooperating therewith, a type wheel, a rotating shaft carrying said set of brushes and said type wheel, a printing magnet, means controlled by said printing magnet to efiect printing from said type wheel, a ticket severing means, a source of message signals, a plurality of conductors connecting the segments of said distributor to said source of signals, means to apply signals one at a time over said conductors to condition said segments, a circuit for said printing magnet completed upon the engagement of said set of brushes with a conditioned segment, and means to operate said severing means after the printing of a ticket.

9. In a message ticketer, a signal storing means, a printing apparatus including a, distributor, a rotating type wheel, a printing magnet, an armature for said magnet operable to effect printing from said type wheel upon energization upon said magnet, means to energize said magnet in accordance with a signal applied to said distributor, means connecting said distributor with said storing means, means to apply signals one by one from said storing means to said distributor to effect the printing of a message ticket, a ticket severing means, and means to operate said severing means after a predetermined number of operations of said printing magnet.

10. In a printing telegraph system, a source of signals, a printing apparatus including a distributor having distributed segments, a set of brushes cooperating therewith, a type wheel, a rotating shaft upon which said set of brushes and said type wheel are mounted, a printing magnet, means operated by said magnet to effect printing from said type wheel, a severing device to sever printed tickets, a cutting magnet to operate said severing device, a progress switch connected to said source of signals, a plurality of conductors extending between said progress switch and said distributor segments over which signals are applied to said distributor, a stepping magnet to advance said progress switch to apply signals one by one to said distributor, a circuit for said printing magnet completed when said set of brushes engages a segment conditioned by an applied signal, means controlled by said printing magnet to energize said stepping magnet, and means operable after a predetermined number of advancements of said progress switch to energize said cutting magnet and operate said severing device.

11. In a ticket printing system, a message signal storing device, a printing apparatus comprising a segmented distributor, a set of distributor brushes, atype wheel, a rotating shaft carrying said set of brushes and said type wheel, a printing magnet, means operated by said printing magnet to arrest a type wheel and effect printing, means for severing a printed ticket, a progress switch having a plurality of contact banks, one of said banks being connected to each segment of said distributor and one bank being connected to said severing means, said progress switch being connected to said storing device to apply stored signals to said distributor, a circuit to said printing magnet completed when said set of brushes engages a distributor segment conditioned by a message signal, means controlled by the operation of said printing magnet to advance said progress switch, and a circuit to said severing means from the bank of contacts of said progress switch connected thereto conditioned to operate said severing means after a predetermined number of advancements of said progress switch.

12. In a message ticket printing system, a signal storing means, a printing apparatus including a segmented distributor, a set of distributor brushes, a printing magnet, means controlled by said printing magnet to effect printing, a progress switch connected to said storing means, a conductor connecting each distributor segment to said progress switch and over which a stored signal may be applied to said distributor, a circuit for said printing magnet completed upon the engagement of said brushes with a segment conditioned by an applied signal, a stepping magnet energized by the operation of said printing magnet to advance said progress switch and apply stored signals one by one to said distributor, and means for delaying the application of a stored signal to said a segmented distributor, a set of distributor brushes, a printing magnet, means controlled by said printing magnet to efiect printing, a progress switch connected to said storing means, a conductor connecting each distributor segment to said progress switch and over which a stored signal may be applied to said distributor, a circuit for said printing magnet completed upon the engagement of said brushes with a segment conditioned by an applied signal, a stepping magnet energized by the operation of said printing magnet to advance said progress switch and apply the stored signals one by one to said distributor, and a slow-to-operate relay connected in circuit with said storing means and said progress switch to delay the application of a stored signal to said distributor after the operation of said stepping magnet.

14. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a signal storing means, a printing apparatus including a distributor, a printing magnet, means to apply stored signals to said distributor, means to energize said printing magnet in accordance with a signal applied to said distributor, means operated by said magnet to effect printing, a web supply, means to feed said web to the printing position comprising a pair of friction feeding rolls, and a type band carried by one of said rolls to print on said web periodically a numeric identifying said printing apparatus.

15. In a coupon printer, a source of message signals, a printing apparatus including a distributor having distributed segments, a plurality of conductors connecting the segments of said distributor to said source of signals, means to apply signals from said source over said conductors to said distributor, means to cause printing in accordance with signals applied to said distributor, and means to sever a coupon after a predetermined number of characters has been printed thereon.

16. In a printing telegraph system, a source of telegraph signals, a printing mechanism including a distributor having distributed segments, a continuously rotating type wheel and a single magnet, a plurality of conductors connecting said distributor segments individually to said source of signals, and means to energize said magnet and cause selective printing from said type wheel in accordance with signals applied to said distributor over said conductors.

17. In a printing telegraph system, a telegraph ticket printer, signal responsive means to advance a web through said printer, a guideway into which said web is advanced from said printer, means responsive after a predetermined number of signals have been received to sever said web, a receptacle for receiving the severed portion of said web, and means to displace said severed portion of said web from said guideway into said receptacle.

WALTER J. ZENNER. 

